The Blue Bend Loop Trail starts and ends in the picnic area at the Monongahela National Forest’s Blue Bend Recreation Area. In 1994, the National Park Service listed the Blue Bend Recreation Area on the National Register of Historic Places as “an outstanding regional example of the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps.” Constructed from 1936-1938, the NPS determined that Blue Bend retains a “designed rustic” character to this day, with many of the original structures still intact. Blue Bend is a wonderful place to consider a summer family camping adventure, even though there are no real campsites on the trail described here. The 21 site campground includes showers and flush toilets, and a locally popular river swimming and fishing hole (known as Blue Hole) on Anthony Creek within walking distance of the campsites. The Greenbrier River Trail, one of the country’s best rail-trails, is quite close by for biking.

The Blue Bend Trail is located at the southern end of the Monongahela National Forest. It is within the 5,144 acre Big Draft Wilderness, the smallest of West Virginia’s seven federally designated wilderness areas. The loop starts and ends just across Anthony Creek from the Blue Bend Recreation Area, accessible by an historic steel cable suspension footbridge. Because the trail lies primarily within wilderness, there are no blazes on the trees, but the trail is easy to follow.

Mile 0.0 – The hike starts at the large Day Use Parking Lot. There are privies and trash cans here, along with picnic tables and a large, rustic picnic shelter with stone fireplace. Enter the trail at the sign on the right (southern) edge of the parking area.

Mile 0.1 – Cross Anthony Creek on a suspension bridge. The swimming area is visible from the bridge. On the opposite bank is a kiosk with a map, trail descriptions, and wilderness information. Like other wilderness areas, groups are limited to ten hikers or fewer. Leave no trace! Take a right at the kiosk and follow the trail along Anthony Creek for the first part of the hike.

Mile 2.6 – The trail appears to drop into a dry creek bed and into a thick grove of rhododendron. Use care here, as the trail stays in the creek bed only briefly and it is easy to miss the trail sign near the ground indicating that the trail cuts sharply right.